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Monday, April 12, 2010

BHPT Feeding Frenzy

My mom kept Trey Friday night, so that gave me Saturday morning free. I checked the generation schedule, and TVA was turning on one generator at 7AM, so that would give me till 10:30 to fish. I also figured since the window was so small combined with the cold temperatures there would be limited numbers of people out to start the morning. I was correct, only saw two other fisherman in the two hours and fifteen minutes I fished. I started fishing in a run that my buddies were catching fish out of on Wednesday evening using a #16 BHPT and a #20 midge larva. After the first couple of fish attacked my BHPT, I cut off the midge and continued to catch a total of 8 fish out of the first run. After about 45 minutes, I couldn't get any more takes so I moved downstream to a couple places I know that typically harbor some pigs. I managed to catch a few more on my way, also on the BHPT before reaching my destination.

Before making any casts I checked my fly and found that the last fish had completely destroyed it. So, I figured this would be a good time to try out a slightly modified split case pattern that my buddy Brett Romer had some influence in.

I spotted a fish cruising around actively on the other side of some large rocks, and slowly fished my way out to him. Eventually I made my way to within casting range, and he inhaled my nymph offering on the first drift. He vaulted out of the water, and I could tell he was a very nice rainbow. After a brief fight I landed him, snapped some pics, and released him to catch another day. The fishing was phenomenal nearly the entire time I was on the water, with a total of 14 brought to hand, two break offs, multiple misses and long distance releases.

One unusual thing I witnessed on Saturday morning was three different rainbows clearing redds at the tail of one pool. I have watched browns clearing redds on the Clinch before, but never saw rainbows doing it. I have noticed that some of the smaller 6 - 8" bows in this area are brightly colored, refer to some previous posts. I wonder if we are seeing some reproduction taking place for once. Next time out, I will look again to see if the redds are still occupied. If TVA does maintain the current generation schedule, these fish are not sterile, and people leave them alone I would venture to say that this year could have some river born rainbows added to the mix.

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I Am A Fishing Fanatic

An engineer by day, you will find me at my desk or at home dreaming about my next fishing adventure. My favorite method of pursuing the various species that inhabit my East TN waters is with a fly rod, but I can be found flinging hardware with a baitcast or spinning reel. I began flyfishing around 1995 at an age of 15, and learn something new each trip. I enjoy the time outdoors with friends and family, and I especially value the time I have with my wife and kids fishing and camping. My job can be a hectic one, and I have found that the most effective escape I have from the stress is to pick up a rod and disappear for a while. I have two wonderful kids who enjoy being outdoors with daddy whether it be hiking, hunting, fishing, or whatever journey we are on at the time. I look forward to taking both of my kids fishing and hunting, and trying to be as good of a father to them as my dad was to me. This blog is my attempt at documenting the various experiences we have, and to record them for my kids as they grown older. God Bless and Tight Lines.